The Red Sea

Its importance :

It is one of the most important bodies of water in the world as it is not only significant in terms of economy and history, but also religion.

The Red Sea plays an important role in the global economy, as cargo ships travel between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea every year, which shortens the path between Asia and Europe almost by half as much as the distance travelled when going around Africa via the Atlantic Ocean thanks to The Suez Canal.

The canal was built in 1869 and is the fastest and most direct marine link between Africa and Asia, allowing the passage of around 30% of the world’s container traffic, which is over one trillion dollars worth of goods per.

It is also where Moses supposedly parted the sea, in order to ensure the safety of his followers as they made their way to the promised land and escaping from the Pharaoh Ramses.

It is located between Africa and Asia. It has an area of ​​over 169,000 square miles; with a maximum depth of over 7,000 feet in the central trench. The Red Sea actually covers part of the famous Great Rift Valley.

Why it got that name :

It is not clear why or how the Red Sea got its name but a popular theory is that it was named that way due to a cyanobacteria called Trichodesmium erythraeum, which turns the normally blue-green water a reddish-brown.

Life in the sea :

It is no surprise that The Red Sea is famous for its hugely diverse array of marine life. In fact, the sea is home to over one thousand species of aquatic invertebrates, and over two hundred species of corals.

This makes it one of the most popular and loved destinations for those who enjoy water sports such as diving, snorkeling, and simply swimming. Though casually lounging on its stunning beaches is also a lovely option.

Tourism in The Red Sea :

The Red Sea servers as a major tourist attraction as most of the marine touristic trips in Egypt take place there, and Egypt’s size allows a first-time visitor to see many highlights in a relatively short trip, making it one of the most accessible and pleasurable places to visit in Egypt.

It is best known for its amazing recreational diving sites. Including sites such as Ras Mohammed, Elphinstone, Dolphin Reef, and Rocky Island, attracting thousands of tourists that want to feast their eyes on the treasures the sea has to offer.

Plenty of people also come from all over the world to this hot spot for not only for the fascinating and exotic marine life, but the sea’s rich history as well.

Safety :

What should you know about Red Sea security? If you book a Red Sea trip for your holiday in Egypt, you will be completely safe, even while diving.

Due to The Red Sea being a huge draw for tourists, the government has introduced strict rules to protect the safety of tourists visiting the area.

The only dangerous part of the Red Sea is in the south, near the uncontrolled zones of Somalia, where real pirates still roam free.

Pirates pose a serious security threat to the region, not only to tourists but also to international shipping,
so it is strongly recommended to limit exploration to areas such as Egypt’s Red Sea coast and the Sinai Peninsula.